Day with Mama

On Friday, Lilliana and I headed out to the mall to return a couple things and decided to enjoy ourselves while we were there. Clay was out at his 10 year high school reunion festivities and I decided to stay back with Lilly since they were going to go so late in the evening. At first we stopped by Chick-fil-A to enjoy some yummy dinner and then we headed to make our returns. Of course we couldn't leave Wolfchase without a stop at The Disney Store. Lilliana was so funny and just ran all over the place finding anything Minnie or Daisy related. Luckily we got out of there with just a couple of goodies but I know she had a great time.



eating chick-fil-a with Mom



Enjoying herself as we walking through the door with her screaming "Minnieeee"!!



Playing with the Minnie football. She kept getting frustrated that it didn't bounce like a regular ball and would wobble all over the place trying to catch it.



"Mama, I think I would like to have both of these please!"

I tend to do this ....

It seems like I get behind on blogging and then if I have an amount of time to get caught up I tend to post lot's of different post's on one day but post-date them. All that to say, there are lot's of new post's below, just keep scrolling or click on the following links:

The Countdown Begins ...

School Day's

Sunshiny Day's

The Library

Halloween Attire

This is what I'm going for .....

This is kinda what I was going for as far as Halloween costumes go for Lilliana. The links below will show you more what I am talking about. So far, Minnie has the most votes, but I am beginning to lean towards doing a ladybug or a bumblebee! What do you think??


Abby Cadabby Halloween Tutu

Ladybug Tutu

Minnie Mouse Tutu

Bee Tutu

Arthur's Lilliana's Library Card!

On Saturday Clay and I took Lilliana to the Library for the first time. I was trying to wait until she would understand the concept that she needed to use her inside voice before we took her. She actually did a pretty good job and we just made sure to stay in the children's section the whole time. Clay and I took turns looking for books for ourselves and really had a great time. We let Lilliana check out 2 books and then one with a CD for the car. She seemed to have a great time despite the 2 times she was put in time-out for running off from us and squeeling in delight but overall she did great.


ready to return her books :)


such a big girl


so excited


my little angel, (most of the time)

We went back today to return the books we had checked out and get some new one's. Unfortunately she had a major meltdown today and didn't really want to listen and was getting way too loud so we had to leave the books on the return table instead of standing in line to get them. I guess we will just try again later! Can you believe that smiling little lady turning in her books could do such a thing??? Maybe Dada will take her this weekend while Mama is working 3 nights in a row for the first time in over 2 years!

Singing in the rain sunshine!

I told her she was like a cowgirl with her 'cow' boots on so she put up her dukes!


reading her books with her boots on


going with Mama and Maggie to get the mail :)

Back to School Shopping!

So today Lilliana and I headed over to Cotton Tails to get a couple things she still needs for school. Ya know, like a new headband, a yellow hair bow to match a new dress and a new pair of keds. All the necessities of course! We also had to try on some new shoes since all she has now that fits are her sandals and although it's still about 95 degrees here in Memphis, I know it will be Fall like weather before we know it and she will be wearing sandals everywhere if I don't get on the ball. I had them measure her foot since I had not done that in a while and I was faberglasted when she measured a size 4!! Can you believe it? Maybe she has grown more than I thought this summer.

After trying on multiple pairs of shoes for almost an hour all I ended up with were the Keds and an amazing pair of rainboots! Again, I said I only went for the essentials :) They are so stinkin cute and I just had to have them. Lilliana was so funny when we first put them on and was holding on to the furniture in the store to help her walk. I think she was a little unsure because they are so heavy. After a few minutes though she was a champ and didn't want to take them off. Of course I couldn't tell her no after that! Now all we need is some rain around here and we can go splashing in puddles in style!

I am still in search of a cute backpack for Missy Prissy to carry to PDO. She has one of the Stephen Joseph bags that are quilted and it snaps but I am not sure it's going to be big enough for all the things she is going to need to take with her to "school". If anyone has any suggestions of where to find one I would greatly appreciate it. Ya know, since I didn't REALLY end up purchasing any essentials besides the Keds when we went school shopping!!

The Countdown begins ...

Two weeks from today my little love will start "school", Parent's Day Out, for the first time. I can't believe it already time for this. I feel like this Summer has just flown by and although I am somewhat looking forward to her having some quality interaction with kids her age, I am still really nervous about leaving her with people I don't know. I am so worried about her getting sick and bringing home all sorts or germs. I know that she needs to be exposed to some of this but I just am such a worry wort when it comes to the possibility of her getting sick. I mean just last weekend I took care of a precious little 2 year old that was admitted to the PICU originally for pneumonia and now she is on ECMO. Sometimes I just think ignorance is bliss and unfortunately I see the worst of the worst where I am at.

Overall, I am feeling good about things though and just trusting that God is going to give me the strength to drop her off on the 17th. I know she will eventually love it and I just hope she is going to be a sweet little girl and be loved by all her teachers. I did get her nap mat in earlier today and I am just tickled pink about it. I think she is going to have the cutest nap mat in the whole school! I am just so impressed with what an amazing job Traci did over at Little Brown Crane. I absolutely LOVE ETSY!! I have quite a few more things on my list of things to purchase from there but am trying to be good and not spend so much within a month's time :)

We have open house for her "school" on Thursday night the 13th and I fell like I still have a ton of questions for them. Like, what happens if she doesn't sleep on her super cool nap mat? What is their agenda for the day? Can I pick her up early, like after lunch and before nap if I am just dying at home by myself? What about a change of clothes for naptime? (I typically change Lilliana into PJ's for naptime at our house so she is comfy and I am not so sure a smocked dress with be that comfortable to sleep in!!) and so forth. Maybe these are things I should have taken care of before signing her up but at that point my main concern was getting her in somewhere accredited and making sure it was clean and the teacher / student ratio was low. I know this school meets all those requirements I just kinda didn't think about the mundane Mommy things I deal with everyday. I also know that it is only 1 day a week so if she doesn't nap, maybe she will come home at 2:45 and do so? Who knows! Anyways, just please pray for both of us in the next 2 weeks. I know it is going to be so hard to leave her but I also know it will be great for both of us. I can't even leave the room at this point without her yelling for me to see where I'm at! I know she will have a great time and hopefully look forward to going to "school" in the month's to come :)

Question???

So I know it's still a couple month's away but I have been thinking about what Lilliana should be this year for Halloween. Our church always has a fun festival and since she was so little last year we didn't attend but definitely plan to do so this year. I would really like to make her something to wear and had thought with the ideas I had come up with I could do a tutu with some sort of top. Not real sure yet though, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. (Also there is a poll on the right side for opinions :)

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday!

Check out the other new post's below

Geyser Falls

Sunday Fun-Day

Love Language

Sunday Fun-Day with Dad

Since taking on night-weekends, Clay and I haven't been able to get to church on Sunday morning like I would like us too. I had all intentions of attempting to stay up on Sunday morning's after completing my night shift but so far that has not been the case. It's more the thought of having to do it all over again the following evening that makes me so tired, so I have just been going straight to bed.

Of course, I would love for Clay to go to church himself and take Lilliana with him but that would require him to get himself ready before I arrive home. That, has NOT happened. I do good to get him out of the bed when I arrive so that he can take care of Lilliana and I can sleep much less him being ready to walk out the door.

Instead of going to church he has been having some great quality time with Lilliana and I think he really enjoys their special time. He is pretty much willing to try anything with her and has come up with some interesting options to help the day pass quickly. For example, a couple weeks ago they were driving through Cordova and came upon the Oscar Meyer Wiener truck so decided they would stop. They ended up getting some stickers, a whistle and had their picture taken! He is just so crazy, and more willing to do things like that than I am. :) There have been multiple occasions when they just head to a park to play or grabing a quick breakfast for the both of them. Today they decided to head to the cemetary to see Cooper. I guess this was the 3rd time we had taken Lilliana there but I think this is the first time she has been since she could walk. Clay said she was really sweet and they got some really great shots while they were there. Clay is always great about taking my camera with him to help me stay up to date with all they did.

I am so thankful that we are able to work our schedules the way we are. Lilliana doesn't have to go to any type of childcare and she is typically home with either Clay or I. I wouldn't have it any other way and I thank God that we both have such great jobs to go to. Hopefully in the near future I can get on a Friday/Sunday schedule so we are able to go to church together again!


smelling the flowers :)


breakfast with friends


with Uncle Eric :)


riding in the car


visiting brother Cooper :)


my little miracle with "Coop'

The 5 Love Languages

I remember when Clay and I were doing premarital counseling going over this concept and reading a book together to determine what each other's love language was. His is physical touch and words of affirmation, while mine is act's of service and gift's. Seemed pretty easy at the time but it is actually a lot harder than it seems. I recall Bill Christian (the pastor who married us) telling me that we tend to speak the language we are and that is the difficult part. Clay is always good about telling me how much he loves me and whispering sweet nothings in my ear but to be honest, they just go in one side and out the other. I on the other hand, tend to buy thing's for Clay and attempt to keep the house neat, do his laundry and even iron when I get a wild hair to "show" him how much I love him. The problem is, we still tend to speak OUR love languages which kinda defeats the purpose. It is definitely something we still work on and something I think we will for a lifetime. Change is just so hard sometimes but I know it would be so worth it if I would just give in at times and speak his love language and vice versa.

I say all this because I am not sure what too young is to determine one's love language but at this point I feel Lilliana work's really well with "word's of affirmation". She is constantly, at random times telling me and her Dada, along with a few other special people, "love ew". It just melts my heart each time she does it. That is what made me begin to think about this whole process over again. Gary Chapman actually writes a book about "The 5 Love Languages For Kids." I am really interested in reading it and was wondering if anyone had done so before, and if so what you thought?

I did just finish a wonderful book called "Grace Based Parenting" with a bible study group here at a church around the corner from where we live. It was WONDERFUL! There were a lot of take home points and some when I thought, "that's not really something that I am going to stick with" but overall, it was great. That is the kind of parent I want to be. I want to be a Godly example for Lilliana and I want her to be able to look up to the marriage Clay and I have and want that same thing for herself one day. Do I always feel like I strive to do the best for my husband? Certainly not, and we definitely could benefit from doing another round of Gary Chapman's book for ourselves. There are definitely many areas to work on but I know with God as the center of our relationship we are in for the long haul!

Day Trip

On Tuesday, Clay, Lilliana and I headed out to Philadelphia, MS with a friend from work and her family to spend a day at Geyser Falls Waterpark. Clay and I had discussed before we left that we didn't think we had been to a waterpark like this since the old Adventure River days here in Memphis! It is about 3 1/2 hours away but was oh so worth it. We had a fantabulous time and will definitely make this a yearly tradition. We got up and packed around 6:30 am and then I had to wake Lilliana up just after 7:00 so that we could hit the road. After a quick stop in Clay's old stomping grounds of Hernando at Coleman's Bar-B-Que for some yummy breakfast and then a quick refuel of gas we were back on the road and headed towards Philadelphia.

After thinking we had arrived around 10:30, only to realize that our navigation had dropped us off in the middle of no where, we shortly realized that the navigation was off about 8 miles and we were indeed very close. Thank goodness, because at this point Lilliana and I were both over being in the car and I was starting to get frustrated with my navigation lack of navigation skills!

The forecast for the day had shown a 40% chance of scattered rain showers but since this was our second attempt at going we had decided to press on. It started to get a little cloudy right when we arrived but since we had driven so long we figured we would make the most of it however long we had. We quickly paid and rented lockers so we could store all of our belongings and then changed clothes and applied sunscreen before hitting all the wonderful attractions. Sonya and I first headed to the kids play area called "Lil' Squirt's Hollow" with Lilliana and Joshua. (Joshua is 3 and was so enamored with Lilliana, it was precious) Afterwards, we took the kiddos to the lazy river and then headed back to the Lil' Squirt's area before the men arrived. We then headed for a quick lunch and then took our turn going down some of the fun slides while the men were on baby duty.

Lilliana did such a great job, especially since she went with NO nap for the first time ever. I tried to get her to lay down with me at one point when she appeared somewhat sleepy but I guess she got another burst of energy because she was raring to go in no time. We actually stayed until closing time which was 6:00 pm and then headed to find somewhere for dinner. My precious little love was asleep just outside of the park but woke up just in time to enjoy some dinner and then went right back to sleep when we were back in the car. She slept the whole was home and then didn't wake-up until 8:45 am on Wednesday morning. I guess she was pretty worn out from such a great day!!


Mommy and my little love ready to play on the slides!


first time down the slides!


no fear, she loved it!!


let's do it again Mama


such a great day :)


playing at the beach with Mama


floating in the beach


those swimming lessons sure did pay off! Such a cutie!!


now with Dada


Justin and Clay coming down the slide

Wordless Wednesday!

The Puppet Master

So lately Lilliana has started to give me a little bit more attitude. I have noticed a slight temper coming out in her and when she doesn't get her way or I ask her to stop playing with something, there are times when she will just throw whatever is in her little hand and lay on the ground. I still have no idea where she gets her stubbornness from, but I will say it reminds me of someone else I know all too well. :)

There have been times lately when we have just stayed at the house because if she is giving me that much trouble at home the last thing I want to do is get out in public with her. Time outs don't work so well with lots of other kids playing and having fun while at story time. We found that our first hand! Overall she is really a great kid but she can push my buttons at times.

Since I have been working night weekends that puts Clay on baby duty while I'm there. Well of course she is such a little angel for him. She doesn't give him any trouble going to bed, like she has me the 3 nights prior to working. We are talking all out screaming, fighting fits. Not wanting to rock but not wanting to get in her bed either. It's been very trying. Well last night, Clay called me up at work to let me know that I am the problem. He said that she went to bed like a champ and that she didn't give him any trouble whatsoever. He also states that he has not had to put her in time-out all weekend and that she has been quite the little angel. He told me that he can tell a difference in her attitude the minute I walk into the room and when I awoke from my nap today he said, "here comes the puppet master" speaking of a probably sudden change in Lilliana. I asked him what he was talking about and he tried to explain himself. I guess I really am a push over and I am going to have to stand my ground. We'll see how that one goes!!

Thursday Throwback ...

Today I decided to participate in Kelly's Blog Carnival. It started off as a home tour and now has expanded to include lot's of other fun ideas to share. This week was Children's Birthday Parties, and since I was pretty proud of how Lilliana's turned out I thought I would share my ideas with the rest of the blog world. Click below for a refresher (complete with new pics never seen before) and then click on over to Kelly's blog for more fantastic ideas. I have been taking notes as Lilliana's 2nd Birthday is just a little over 5 month's away!! Time flies so we've been planning for month's!


Lilliana's 1st Birthday Party

SHE'S HERE!!!

As I mentioned earlier, one of my best friend's Amanda gave birth to a precious daughter on Tuesday evening. It all started that morning when I texted Amanda to see how her last day of work was going. They had set an induction date up of the 18th and since her original due date was on the 15th, I just kinda assumed that would be her last day. Well, to my surprise, Amanda was at the doctor's office for a routine appointment that I had forgotten she had. She informed me that Monday had been her last day and that hopefully there was only a few more days before Baby M arrived.

I was headed to the gym and Amanda decided to meet me there and see if she could "walk" Baby M out. At her appointment she was already 4 cm and about 80% effaced so we didn't think it would be much longer! I had been on the treadmill about 15 minutes once she got there and she wasn't too far into her walk when I noticed her grab her stomach and wince. I kinda just kept going on my merry way attempting to finish my own run. After about the 4th contraction I looked over at her and said "I am gonna step this run up a notch before you birth that baby on the treadmill!"

For some reason, I had decided that I was going to shower at the gym after I had run and I know it was just God's way of working everything out perfectly. After quickly finishing my run I hoped in the shower and Amanda said she was going to continue to walk until I was done. Although, when I got out she was sitting in a chair in the bathroom to see if they were going to stop or continue. This was the 3rd time she had had consistent contractions but they always went away. Not this time!!

She insisted upon driving herself home and getting a shower and since I had Lilliana with me, I called my MIL to meet me at the hospital and we quickly left to meet Amanda at her house. Upon arriving, I still heard the shower going but she must have heard me come in the door because she said, "Ok, I think it's time, you may want to go ahead and call your MIL." I told her I already had and started piling things in the car she needed and making sure Drew (her husband) was aware of what was going on. After a quick run through of her house and making sure we had everything she may need we headed on our way.

I will admit, after the 3rd contraction in the car and her telling me that they were really starting to hurt, I got a little nervous. I could just picture me having to pull over the car and deliver a baby. I had all sorts of labor and delivery emergency techniques running through my head! Surprisingly upon arrival to the hospital she wasn't dilated anymore and they decided to give her fluids to make sure it was true labor and not brought on my the gym.

Drew got there about 30 minutes after we arrived and Amanda and I joked that at first they probably thought we were lovers since she was squeezing my hand through contractions and Lilliana and I were the only one's there with her! She made sure to tell her triage nurse that I was her friend :) After an hour they check her again and decided to go ahead and admit her since her contractions continued to be 3-5 minutes apart. Then it was time for an epidural. I waited in the waiting room and when Drew came out he said she was happy and feeling GREAT.

Over the next couple hours we kinda sat around and talked and then around 4:15 her parents arrived from Mayfield, KY. At that time I left to go pick up Wilson from his sitters and take him to our house, along with picking up a list of things they had forgotten at the house. Upon arriving back at our house to bring a couple things back to Wilson for him to sleep there, Drew called to let me know that they were about to break her water and they expected things to progress very quickly from there. I ran out of the house leaving Lilliana and Wilson with Clay and sped off back to the hospital. There was no way I was going to miss the big announcement after the baby was born, especially since I had been there all day!

I got back to the hospital in record time and ran in just in time to see Amanda for about 5 minutes before she told them she felt pressure. The nurse checked her and quickly called for the Dr. to come back because it was BABY TIME!! I went out into the waiting room with Amanda's parents and in no more than 15 minutes Drew came out to tell us little Dorothy Elaine had arrived. All 7 pounds 14 ounces of pure joy. She was 20 inches long and looks so much like her older brother, complete with a small cleft in her chin! She doesn't have as much hair as he did, but I am sure there will be plenty of bows in it when able to do so :)

I am so incredibly happy for you two and can't wait to see how much your life is going to change with a precious little girl in it. Not knowing the sex throughout her pregnancy made it so hard to plan but oh how fun it was on Baby Day. I can't wait to see how protective Wilson is going to be with her and see her and Lilliana grow up together. We were already joking that since Lilliana is 19 month's older, Dorothy is not going to understand why Lilly can do some things she can't do when they get older. It should be interesting to say the least.


the parents to be!


Amanda and I


Mr. Larry, Amanda and Mrs. Kathy (Amanda's parents)


the beautiful Dorothy Elaine


Amanda's parents with Dorothy


another pic of Dorothy with her little hat on


Wilson, the newest Big Brother!


he was so excited to go see her, it was just precious!!


first look at Dorothy


Drew's parents, Donald and Diana made it to see her too, all the way from Lexington!

Where's Bobby?

So Lilliana's new name for Wilson is Bobby. I have no idea where she gets it from but everytime she sees him that is what she calls him and of course he responds. We still speak of him as Wilson and just until a couple weeks ago she did too! Who knows, I guess it is just a phase, or maybe she thinks he should have been named Bobby!! Either way, it's pretty cute and I am sure you will stay friends through the wrong name calling and all :)

Introducing .....

Today one of my best friend's in the whole world became a Mother to a precious little girl, the sex was a surprise which made it oh so much more fun. More details to come but I wanted to post a pic for the time being.

Happy Happy Birthday little Princess, can't wait to watch you grow up and see the woman God has destined you to be!!

19 month's young!

My Dearest Lilliana,

I can't believe another month has come and gone. You are such a precious little girl and I have just loved spending the last 19 month's with you. I can't imagine my life without you and I pray that you will grow up to be a Godly woman and that your Daddy and I can be an example for how you should live your life.

You have had lots of new experiences this past month including; VBS, your first 4th of July parade, Becca's birthday party complete with a petting zoo, bathing outside in a stockpot, and many more. You continue to be quite the little sponger just continuously soaking up information and repeating a lot of what Mama and Dada say to you. I am able to understand you a lot more than your Dada but hopefully he will be able to jump right there in soon. :)

Each night when I am rocking you to bed we sing a few songs and then it's time to say our prayers. We start off by praying for all your family and friends and then include Minnie, Baby, Annie and Abbey (the animals you sleep with). You are just the most precious thing and sit there and repeat each and every name we have just prayed for while I continue singing to you. It just melts my heart every time you do it.

You still love to play "owside" outside and would probably stay out there all day if I would let you. You also love to play in the water, and you have been so much better about water in your face since taking swimming lessons with Mrs. Brittany.

You still are a great eater and can really put away some food. I have no idea where you are putting it all because you are still such a tiny little thing. You love to eat pizza and anything cheese related. You love yogurt and sharing cereal with Mama in the morning. When doing my meal planning during the week I have begun to keep you in mind because for the most part you will eat whatever me and your Dada are eating these days. I would have to say your favorite food is "i-cream" ice-cream and anytime mention is made of it or you see a picture of it you say "mmmmmmmmm".

You are the sweetest, most caring little girl I have ever met. You say please and thank-you, most times, without being prompted and we are now working on yes-mam and no-mam. You still say no to a lot of things but it is just the cutest little "no" I have ever heard. You Dada and I have seen a little more of your attitude lately but you are so funny when you get mad that's its hard not to laugh at you when you do stuff you aren't supposed to do. The other day, we went to Whole Foods to get you some milk, and just a couple other items and decided that you could just walk around with us. Boy were we wrong. You kept running off from us and the more you ran the more we said no and you would just laugh at us and run faster. I couldn't help but laugh and know it's going to be so hard to keep a straight face and be stern in the coming month's.

I love you with my whole heart and can't wait to wake-up to your precious smile each morning!

Mama

Crocodile Dock

This past week our church hosted Crocodile Dock as out VBS theme. About a month ago I decided that I would volunteer to help with the toddler kids, those who were children of the workers, and boy did I have my hands full. Our team leader was Mrs. Christie and she is the Mother's Day Out director at our church so she was a huge help. There was also another lady helping named Kelly and between the 2 of us, I think we had a change of attitude towards the end. I was slap worn out everyday when it was time to leave and took a nap with Lilliana at least 4 out of the 5 days. The kids seemed to really have a great time, and overall it was a great experience. I will just maybe think twice before signing up for that age group again!

Lilliana seemed to enjoy herself and it gave me a small tast of what Parent's Day Out will be like for her in the fall. In one aspect it made me nervous, because I am so used to being able to keep an eye on her at all times. There really isn't a minute that goes by that I don't know where she is and what she is doing. That is hard though when there are multiple children and they are doing different activities. I would always get nervous when we were out on the playground that she would fall somehow and hurt herself. She did take a little tumble on the last day, face first down the slide when I took one of the kids in to use the bathroom.

Speaking of bathrooms, that brings me to my major breakthrough during the week. My fear of public bathrooms! Just recently our friend's the Mefford's just potty trained Wilson and I have had to take him to the potty a couple times for Amanda while we were out but that is about the extent of my toddler training. Well, this week I was definitely put to the test. We had kids aged 18 month's to 3 years old and it was pretty split down the middle with those who were potty trained and those who were not. I think on the first day I took at least 4 kids to the potty. I HATE public restrooms. I have never taken Lilliana into one, even to change her diaper and I have no idea what I am going to do when it comes time to potty train her. I think public restrooms are just so disgusting and rarely go when I am out myself. It was definitely a new awakening for me this week and I struggled on more than one occasion. Of course the kids wanted to touch the toilet seat and then flush the commode and then when it came to washing our hands there was no way they washed them adequately enough. I know it is something I am just going to have to get over when it comes time to potty train Lilliana but I am surely not going to rush things in that category.

The week did bring back some wonderful memories of my VBS days, way back when and Lilliana and I got a refresher on some old songs and learned a lot of new ones. Her newest favorites are "This Little Light of Mine" and "Deep and Wide". She is so funny and loves when we try to blow out her 'light'. She just laughs and laughs. She also loves to say the mmmm, in the second and third rounds of "Deep and Wide". I can't believe she is growing up so fast but I just love her so much and have more fun with her everyday.

I have continued to pray for all the decisions made this week at VBS and was so proud of all the kids for the money they raised for housing for the needy. These precious Kindergarten through 6th graders raised over $5,000.00! It was such a great week and I can't wait for Lilliana to be able to experience it for herself.